Posted by: Piedrasyluz | August 11, 2011

Free The Children!

“PEACEFUL
JUSTICE

FOR HAITI “

6.14.11 Free The Children To Learn!

The news bulletin of Hurah

(Human Rights Accompaniment In Haiti, a group dedicated
to non-partisan, non-violent basic human rights action for the disenfranchised
in Haiti. I f interested in joining, e-mail me, Tom
Luce)

Tom Luce, Editor

Dear <>

Phew! The heat has arrived. 97+F here in
the shade. Sunday I was wiped out by being in the sun too much on the
motorbike, going to St. Bernadette’s and Grand Ravine. I had to take a
long nap. Eyes stinging with sweat. Now I’m much better having bought
a fan ($58) and a makeshift sweat band!

Today I’m putting forth the biggest challenge
that is facing us on this end in Haiti: Securing our people, kids, parents,
teachers, Community leaders.

I
sit here on the nice side of the city watching the kids come home here
in their uniforms. I can chat with them, no problem. But I can’t even
go over to Grand Ravine and visit our kids, schools, parents! I’m working
on this and I hope you’ll be able to support me.

On Wednesday I meet with Fr. André
about possible twinning. Thursday is the big gathering with the children
at one of the safer schools. We’ll have a snack, take pics and meet with
the staff afterward to go over our “Vision” paper.

Thanks for all you are doing to make this
possible. You can be sure you’re making a lot of folks happy.

Sincerely,

Tom Luce

INDEX TO TODAY’S UPDATE:click
on the title below to go directly to the section you prefer.

1. CAMPAIGN TO SECURE
GRAN RAVINE

2. FORMAL TWINNING?

3. LIFE DAY BY DAY

#1. CAMPAIGN
TO SECURE GRAN RAVINE

Pic 1: Grand Ravine from below

Grand Ravine is the hill top community
in the upper center of this pic. Population around 30,000. It extends
down the ravine to the next community connected, Martissant. I gave
you the recent history of violence there. Now in 2011 I find it totally
unacceptable that our partners are not safe in relating to us, that
I can’t make normal in-class visits, that we can’t celebrate our sharing.
So I’ve been working on a campaign. I’ve written to Pax
Christi– Haiti and International (the current Sec. Gen.
is a renowned Haitian leader, Claudette Werleigh) — to the Irish “Frontline
Defenders” who have supported Grand Ravine in the
past, and to the Catholic Bishops’ Commission on Peace and Justice.
Maybe St. Columba could enlist some allies to join the campaign?
That’s a start and I’ve asked them for ideas, whether they can help
the GR-CHRC. Of course eventually this will have to involve the state
agencies–police, judiciary etc.– if there is going to be real peace
with justice. But you can imagine what would happen if we started by
calling the police! A non-violent group? No. So we need moral support,
visibility for non-violent practitioners. You know the MLK, Gandhi,
Jesus types. The GR-CHRC has a list of priorities that will help build
them up. First is a new office (see below pics #6a, #6b, about a possibility.)

Pic #2: Typical Street in Grand
Ravine

Gentilhomme and I rode motorbike yesterday
after church through Grand Ravine. It looks pretty normal. Everyone
walking around, doing their shopping at the little sidewalk shops. But
the place is outlaw at an unacceptable level. No police protection that
is effective. No respect for judges. Crooks preying on people with “money”
connections.

Pic #3: Marvelous Haitian Bus in
Grand Ravine: Merci Jesus! Thanks Jesus!

Pic #4 Nicole, our Catholic member
of the GR-CHRC

It was quite clear that serious precautions
have to be taken to protect our friends. Yesterday Nicole agreed to meet
us after the 6am Mass and she could not spend any time with us except
to renew acquaintances (I’ve worked with her since 05). This simply has
to be changed.

Pic #5 GR-CHRC Franzco Joseph (3rd
president, now VP), Ernest Point-du-Jour President

So yesterday after Mass and chatting with
Nicole, we talked about the campaign to secure Grand Ravine. They want
very much to do what has to be done. They are willing to work on increasing
their visibility, spreading the news of non-violent ways to work for justice.
They want their office back. I’ve offered to help them form a cooperative as a way to earn money. A friend of mine put me onto a program that
is giving away free portable
classrooms that would be ideal for this. We’re hoping shipping costs will be paid by a Florida donor. We will need to get furniture and equipment.
This would be where they would have materials, meetings, a showcase for
human rights.They have been doing this since the massacres and house burnings
in 05-06. Franzco had to be evacuated in 08-09 with his family. But he
is still working for the CHRC-GR.

Pic #6a CHRC-GR Office, financed
by Hurah in 09, destroyed by the quake; #6 b Free portable module from
a coalition using Florida surplus buildings.

Pic #6b. Free portable module Website:portables4haiti.org

Free Portable Classroom!

O.K. what about Hope for Haiti:Education?
Isn’t this more than enough to be working on? Of course, but even if St.
Columba cannot help the CHRC-GR financially, there is plenty to contribute–moral
support, exchanges, accompaniment etc–to help them. And remember it’s
because of them that the children were recruited out of a crowd of very
poor families, that the 5 Catholic schools closest to their homes for
safety were selected. Managing the purchase of materials, paying the schools,
keeping track of the kids–a big job, all volunteer. They need help with
internet services, transportation, materials and training in non-violence,

-back to index-

#2. FORMAL TWINNING?

Pic #7 Fr. Frank Rouleau, Twinning
Director for Norwich, Conn. Diocese Click here to see their website and
to download information: TWINNING
Applications are handled through the Norwich office as noted.

Before the earthquake for over 20 years
the Diocese of Norwich, Conn had two major programs in Port-Au-Prince,
Hospice St. Joseph and Norwich House. The Hospice was both a guest house
and a major clinic for people from the area of Christ Roi, another inner
city area. Norwich House was a guest house for visitors from twinning
parishes. The program now has some 18 parishes in the Archdiocese and
is rebuilding its former programs into one.

Pic #8 Hospice St. Joseph, upper
guest rooms survived, clinics demolished.

This is where I stayed first and got my
boot camp training in 2004. It was where we were able to put freed prisoners
into hiding who were at risk of being shot. A nostalgia trip for me. In
terms of whether we should do a formal “twinning”, a place like
this would provide us with guest space and the renewed program will provide
orientation to Haitian realities–the beautiful and the sad.

Pic #9 Nostalgia my original room
in front, the PAP bay in back

Pic #10 St. Bernadette parish church

O.K.back to realities and the tougher side
of town. Do we need to formalize a “twinning” arrangement with
Norwich and the Archdiocese of PAP? We need to check out the requirements.lick
here: TWINNING
Right now we’re doing the real thing, providing education for the poorest
kids in one of the most dangerous spots in the city. I’ll talk with Fr.
André on Wednesday about this. He has his list of needs, of course.
I’ve pointed out that we are very limited and we want to put our educational
service into a religious context, working to join hands and hearts with
his parishioners. Our “mission” statement does talk about other
programs, i.e. microcredit. The church buildings are intact and there
are obviously programs ongoing there.

Pic #11 Catholic Relief Services
continues to do a mammoth service to Haiti- Hospice St. Joseph, “We’re
Together In Haiti!

I haven’t noticed Catholic Relief Services
signs in Grand Ravine such as there are here at Hospice St. Joseph. Maybe
we could help Fr. André tap into CRS? I’m meeting with Dr. Paul
Farmer’s rep tomorrow and she may have some health services available.

-back to index-

#3. LIFE DAY
BY DAY

Pic #12 LATEST INUNDATION- Yeah,
that’s me taking pics on the bike! On our way to GR.

Pic #13 How much more can they take?
There are still the major hurricanes to come.

Pic #14 Sure is rough going on the
side streets, had to get off bike on our way to Fr. Rouleau!

Pic #15 No wonder the Hurah donated
bike needs regular repairs, already just since I’ve been here!

Pic #16 I take credit for pushing
full sun power to run AUMOHD’s office including freezers! No, Hurah didn’t
pay, AFL-CIO did.

While I’m really in a chatty mood, let me
point out that in terms of “twinning” there has always been
the guest house facility connected with these programs. Our first program,
Parish Twinning of the Americas, has Matthew 25 house. I am the invited
guest–for free- here at the AUMOHD offices. So if people wanted to come
and stay, that is a question. We don’t have to be in a formal “twinning”
arrangement to use these guest houses. BTW the price per day has now
risen to about $45 per day which covers bed, breakfast and dinner. Transportation
to/from airport and special trips is extra.

Pic #17 Last night we had a rainbow
from the south, taken from our upstairs porch.

-back to index-

========================================================================

If you are interested in supporting Hurah
as it winds its official “tax-exempt” self down, CLICK
HERE TO DONATE Online and see our projected needs. Send Checks
to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703 Even
after June 30, we’ll still be glad to receive monetary help and/or solidarity
work in pursuing human rights.

========================================================================

If you are interested in the St. Columba
scholarship program please check out their Facebook page to find out more
about it and how to contribute Hope
For Haiti: Education This program is specifically for Grand
Ravine. There are many other “Hope for Haiti” projects dealing
with education. Certainly Grand Ravine deserves major attention. To get
the particulars about St. Columba Parish, go to their website at St
Columba Parish, Oakland, CA.

Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click
here.Or mail a check to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

-back to index-

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Posted in Haiti Human Rights

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | August 11, 2011

Revisiting Grand Ravine-June ’11 Trip

“PEACEFUL JUSTICE FOR HAITI “
6.5.11
The news bulletin of Hurah, Inc.
(Human Rights Accompaniment In Haiti,
dedicated to non-partisan, non-violent basic human
rights action for the disenfranchised in Haiti (soon to become an informal
group committed to the same ideals)
Tom Luce, Editor

Dear Friends,

You are now one of 42 people from different
parts of my life connected to justice for the poorest of disenfranchised
Haitians. Some on this list have been with my organization, Hurah, since 2004.  See our blog at HURAH

Some are family. Some are in a new group of friends, the “Hope for Haiti: Education” committee of St. Columba Parish in Oakland. Click here to learn more: Hope For Haiti: Education

Both groups are connected because of basic
human rights advocacy in Haiti. I started out in 04 limiting our work
to the basics: life, freedom, legal resolution of disputes. From 2004-06
some 8000 people lost their lives in political conflicts, thousands more
were jailed illegally. Much of the violence was government involved. Hurah
and our partner, AUMOHD concerned ourselves with the most disenfranchised,
poor Haitians in the slums of Port-au-Prince and a couple of country areas.
We did good work. But now I’m finishing out the last month of “Hurah”
because this basic human rights work is most difficult to sustain, financially
and volunteer-wise. On June 30 Hurah will cease to exist as a 501(c)(3)
organization. I will continue on advocating using the name Hurah as a
group of interested advocates.We will continue to accept donations, but
won’t have the tax-exempt status.

So with these updates on my current “mission”
to Haiti, I’m working on tying up Hurah business in pursuing basic justice:
1) the “Soccer” massacre of 05; 2) promoting opportunities for
cooperative economical development among the poor, and 3) the latest project,
an expansion into advocacy for education that the St. Columba scholarship
committee has taken on with the most violent and deprived community in
Haiti, Grand Ravine.

Pleas know that I count you all as friends
of Haiti and I thank you profoundly for being with them in whatever way
you can.

Sincerely,

Tom Luce

INDEX TO TODAY’S UPDATE:

click on the title below to go directly
to the section you prefer

1. GRAND RAVINE–SOCCER
MASSACRE (St. Bernadette Park)
2. ST. BERNADETTE CHURCH
2. TRIBUTE TO JEAN DOMINIQUE CHAMPION RADIO
JOURNALIST
3. BONUS-DELMAS-CORN

#1. GRAND RAVINE:
Struggling for justice SOCCER MASSACRE – Aug 20, 2005

The “Soccer” Massacre at St. Bernadette soccer stadium in the Martissant section of Port-au-Prince, Aug. 20, 2005, followed by another massacre on Aug. 21, 2005 in the nearby Grand Ravine “commune”, noted for its violent, “outlaw”
conditions. A 3rd massacre and burning of 300 homes occurred in July 06
and Esterne Bruner, #2 President of the Community Human Rights Council-Grand
Ravine, was assassinated.

For those wanting more details of this shocking, government perpetrated killing spree, go to this site as a starter:SOCCER MASSACRE

I was up north in Haiti on Aug. 20 accompanying people demonstrating for fair elections when I heard about a police organized massacre of some 50 people right in the St. Bernadette soccer stadium filled with 5,000 people. I came right back to Port-au-Prince to work with our Haitian human rights legal team, AUMOHD, in identifying victims, bodies, providing protective services and setting the stage for
prosecution of the perpetrators including many key police staff. It
was a political vengeance act against people identified as supporters
of the ousted president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Residents of Grand Ravine
were specifically targeted.

Today 6 years later I returned to the scene for the first time, stopping first at the church, St. Bernadette, and then the soccer field which is now a tent city filled with quake refugees. AUMOHD is now engaged with a legal team from Seton Hall university pursuing justice for these victims at the Interamerican Commission For Human Rights (IACHR). I’m here to help them coordinate matters. First the IACHR must hear the complaint and, if valid, the case can be referred to the Interamerican
Court For Human Rights which can pressure member states to take action.
NOTE: The US signed the convention setting up the IACHR and the
Court, but never has ratified it, a step necessary to officially engage
the US. Once again the US is avoiding any responsibility as a member of
the OAS.

-back to index-

#1: St. Bernadette Stadium: meeting
rooms, terraces for spectators (right) facing what was once the soccer
field, now a tent city with quake refugees living there.

#2 The soccer field tent city. Today
I couldn’t spent much time there getting information on this specific
camp. I was told that there were some “bad” people around who
could become difficult if we spent much time there, if not for me, for
my companions from the area. Life is unbelievably desperate in these camps.
Just the living conditions are abysmal. There are rampant crimes committed
in many of these places, rape being one of the major crimes that don’t
get prosecuted.

#3: Ernest Point-Du-Jour, father
of two young children and a primary school teacher (L) is the fourth president
of the Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council formed in 05 with Hurah’s
help to bring people together–victims, families, community leaders to
deal with this crime perpetrated by the government. The first president
was driven away by violent threats. The second president was brutally
assassinated for doggedly pursuing justice non-violently and in a non-partisan
way for his community. The third president, Franzco Joseph, had to be
ferreted out of the community for safe housing with his children and wife.
He still is active in the CHRC from outside the community.

#4 The latest stats on cholera
in Haiti: 321,066 cases seen since the beginning of the outbreak, including
5,337 deaths. Massive hygiene education and water purification programs
have still not brought the disease under control. This mural is in the
St. Bernadette soccer camp.-back
to index-

2. St.
Bernadette Parish: Martissant

St. Bernadette Church, the parish
that covers Grand Ravine, potential parish “twin” with St. Columba
in working on the challenges facing Grand Ravine. A parish “mission”
chapel exists in Grand Ravine, Holy Family, which needs support in the
non-violent struggles for justice.

#5. Right next to the soccer stadium/refugee
camp is the church from which it gets its name. (The soccer field is/was
not a church project) It is a vibrant community. Today we attended the
8am Mass with probably a couple hundred worshippers. The reason for going:
St. Columba Parish in Oakland, Ca. in its commitment to engage in a social
justice project in Haiti accepted my recommendation to focus on one of
the most violent, “outlaw” communities in the city, one of the
most deprived sections in terms of services. The victims of the St.Bernadette
massacre were from the neighboring community of Grand Ravine. This certainly
makes them eligible as a people at the top of the list of human rights
abuses and without the supports other more peaceful communities also suffering
from the quake. St. Columba has chosen Grand Ravine. The Catholic parish
covering Grand Ravine is St. Bernadette. St. Columba would like to establish
a “twin”, “sister” parish relationship.

#6. Seemingly unharmed by the earthquake,
this is a large capacity church. There are two other Masses on Sunday.

#7. The St. Bernadette choir led
us in Haitian style music.

#8. The Pastor is Fr. Laguerre Pierre
André

#9 At the “Kiss of Peace”
everyone went around and embraced or shook hands

#10 After Mass Fr. André
and I met along with Ernest Point-du-Jour and Hurah rep, Gentilhomme (who
took all the pictures!). Fr. André is very interested in establishing
a sister-parish relationship with St. Columba. He appreciates the context
in which the St. Columba scholarship program was created, a response to
one of the most impoverished, violent and victimized communities in Haiti
with which he has a spiritual relationship. He has known about the Grand
Ravine Community Human Rights Council and its leader, Mr. Point-du-Jour,
and of course, he knows the 5 schools (all Catholic) which have the 170
children sponsored by St. Columba. He told us that this coming week the
“mission chapel” of the Holy Family which is St. Bernadette’s
outpost in Grand Ravine is holding a five day retreat. He advised me not
to come and participate because of the serious security and violence problems
there that would be exacerbated by a “stranger” coming in. So
the theme of violence and how to bring people to work peacefully for justice
is still the topmost in the lives of the Grand Ravine people. Educating
170 children is a great step toward righting the injustices there. Much
more collaboration among all agencies in the community will be required
before real peace with justice will arrive. Hopefully the energy and force
for “peace” within this parish will aid a lot in the struggles
of the Community Human Rights Council of Grand Ravine.

-back to index-

3.
Jean Dominique, champion radio journalist

#11.
Not directly connected, except for the fact that I am staying not far
from it, is the remnants of the famous “Radio Haiti” station
which was founded and run by the man made known in the English world with
the movie, “The Agronomist”, Jean Dominique. His conversion
from agronomy to cutting edge multimedia journalism gave hope to the people
and shivers to those who didn’t want to hear the truth about injustice
in Haiti. His valiant work got him killed in the end, in 2000. I happened
to have spent 1960-64 at a university in Rome, Italy, with his cousin,
Fr. Max Dominique, who was a courageous resister against the Duvalier
regime which persecuted the Dominiques and thousands of others. One of
our colleagues, a daughter of Jean’s, is now working with us to promote
cooperative economies in Haiti. In growing ruins with age and an earthquake,
this place is a monument to courageous journalism and truth-telling. His
truth and example will live on. Link to sign petition to prosecute DUVALIER
We have to keep up the pressure on all international agents to bring this
matter to justice. It is the way we build confidence in the rule of law.
It is not the time to forget the law and talk about “forgive and
forget”, let’s have a reconciliation process. Impunity is a standard
blight on law abiding societies. Forgiveness is a religious act. Reconciliation
is a religio-civic process that is, of course, highly recommended. But
justice–not vengeance must be carried out.

-back to index-

4.
BONUS- DELMAS – CORN

#12 On our way back from St. Bernadette
I couldn’t help but asking my motorbike driver, Gentilhomme to stop and
grab a shot of what is known as “Delmas” a commune of 379,000
people. I have lived here during the 8 years working in Haiti. It is where
the airport is located. This section is mainly unending rows rows of cement
block apartments with little or no open space, very densely populated.
Other parts where the AUMOHD office is located do have open space, trees,
and single family homes.In the distant east you see the mountains for
which Haiti is named. (Ayiti means mountains, an Arowak word.)

#13.For my urban garden, green, food self-reliant
friends, I thought I should fill in the previous picture with this very
healthy corn field. Till next time.

========================================================================

-back to index-

If you are interested in supporting Hurah
as it winds its official “tax-exempt” self down, CLICK
HERE TO DONATE Online and see our projected needs. Send Checks
to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703 Even
after June 30, we’ll still be glad to receive monetary help and/or solidarity
work in pursuing human rights.

========================================================================

If you are interested in the St. Columba
scholarship program please check out their Facebook page to find out more
about it and how to contribute Hope
For Haiti: Education This program is specifically for Grand
Ravine. There are many other “Hope for Haiti” projects dealing
with education. Certainly Grand Ravine deserves major attention. To get
the particulars about St. Columba Parish, go to their website at St
Columba Parish, Oakland, CA.

Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit until June 30

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click
here.Or mail a check to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

-back to index-

Leave a Comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | March 15, 2011

ILLEGAL ELECTIONS

“PEACEFUL JUSTICE FOR HAITI”

3.15.11 The news bulletin of Hurah, Inc.

(Human Rights Accompaniment In Haiti, a 501(c)(3) corporation
dedicated to non-partisan, non-violent basic human
rights action in Haiti)

Tom Luce, Editor

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: ILLEGALITY OF ELECTIONS

Dear Human Rights Advocates,

Many bloggers and posters to list serves are speaking about the “Second Round” of elections with Ms. Manigat and Mr. Martelly as the only choices for the people. The issue of the will of the people of Haiti–
from a human rights point of view– is being ignored by most of the postings here of late regarding the “elections” and the return of Aristide. This is a travesty that exemplifies the roots of lawlessness everywhere it is practiced.

Postings assuming the validity of the “Second Round” are  participating in the shredding of the law of the land even as they purport to support a Haiti under the rule of law. They are backing blatant foreign intervention in Haitian affairs perpetrating the lie that the people have a real “choice” for their government. There is ample evidence that the Nov. 28 elections were invalid, both by the exclusion of major parties and in the carrying out of the election without adequate preparation. The US push for the “Second Round” along with the OAS observer team stacked by the US (3 US, 2French, 1 Canadian, 1 Jamaican) is but the latest instance of foreign interference in the violation of the rule of law. There is no authorization by the CEP or the Préval government.
There is no justification for this unlawfulness, not the “let’s-get-on-with-it” argument, not the purported “popular support” argument, not the “this-is-the-way-its-done” argument. Flouting the law this way is a monument to the hypocrisy of those who do it, especially the US with all its talk about democracy. The will of the people is to follow the rule of law, democratically established. The will of the lawbreakers is what prevails now and this should be stopped before March 20th if people want to save money and conflict. Otherwise these lawbreakers will be the cause of unrest and any subsequent violence.

The will of the people was illegally and violently stolen from the Haitian majority prior to the violent coup of 2004. No amount of propaganda demonizing the Artistide administration will change the facts. The will of the people clearly was obtained overwhelmingly in the lawful 2000 election of Aristide as president. The so-called flawed parliamentary election in the spring of 2000 was resolved legally but has no bearing on the presidential election in any case. The violent suppression of a duly elected president and every duly elected official down to dogcatcher was supported by Haitian lawbreakers and their foreign power supporters. The political juggernaut arrived at in 2003 should not have been solved by violence but by the rule of law. There was no “popular uprising” of the people against Aristide. It was only a small band led by criminals armed from CIA depots in the DR. They were using violence, killing civilians and creating havoc against a majority of unarmed, non-violent Haitians. <http://hurah.org/history/government-atrocities/>
Apologists for the use of armed force to settle disputes–witness the articles by Mr. Diebert and his citations from biased media (Radio Quisqueya, Metropole)– have published propaganda pieces trying to show that the Haitians, like the Egyptians, “rose up” and obtained their justice against a murderous dictator in February 2004. Not true.

Mr. Deibert claims his reporting of grassroots violence in Gran Ravin and Martissant is more valid than others that he stigmatizes–unprofessionally–as done by out-of-country observers. He perpetuates the all-too-real “war by proxy” wanting us to believe that it is all just a simple matter of rival “gangs” settling old accounts, shooting up one another in a vicious cycle of political revenge. He implies we should believe
that the carnage is understandable, even justifiable, implying that post 2004 it was still Aristide partisans getting their “comeuppance”. He wants us to believe that having gotten rid of Aristide, Haiti would,
of course, return to the rule of law.

Mr. Deibert’s writings omit damning facts like the killing of innocent men, women, and children by such criminal gangs as Lame Timanchet in collaboration with the Haitian police in 05, their torching of homes creating a stream of 1000′s of refugees from Grand Ravine in 06. He doesn’t cite the report
ordered by the new Director General of the Haitian Police, Mario Andresol, implicating both the police and the LameTimanchet. <http://www.mouvmansoda.org/home_files/policereport.html>

He omits the Lancet study of 06 <http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2806%2969211-8/abstract> documenting 8,000 killed and 35,000 raped. These victims were targeted, truly or falsely, as being Aristide supporters.

He omits the story of Esterne Bruner, a double victim of the home burnings in 05 after the soccer massacre and the killings/torchings in 06, and brutally assassinated on Sept. 21, 2006. Why was Bruner killed? Not because he was an armed violent partisan of Artistide. He was targeted because he was the leader of a movement of citizens from Grand Ravine and Martissant committed to non-violent and non-partisan advocacy for human rights for their communities. He was the second courageous leader of the Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council (GR-CHRC). He was the enemy of doing-business-as-usual,
the control of whole populations through intimidation and calculated slaughter of innocents demonstrating that the rule of law is the real “chimère”, or “hallucination”. The GR-CHRC has survived constant violent threats and is still operating, trying to get the majority of honest people to work non-violently for their rights. Where is the main stream reporting about this? See some of the Gran Ravin story at <http://www.mouvmansoda.org/home_files/GRMENU2.html>

Flaunting the rule of law by violence, by propaganda, by bribes, is flaunting the will of the people. The unheralded return of Baby Doc and the 7 years of conniving to keep Aristide from returning home–long before the “elections”–are simply the continuation of the foreign intervention by the US on behalf of those–in Haiti and abroad–who believe their will should prevail, be damned democratic elections. They want to impose their solutions for social justice on the people. Why should the US make any noise about Duvalier?  The US supported both dictators who have been condemned internationally for their wild and violent injustices. So what if Aristide returned home before the 20th? What if there was an “uprising” of the people, in the non-violent manner we have seen from hundreds of thousands of Aristide supporters? Would the US, would the anti-Aristide diaspora and Haitian nationals, give the people the respect given to the protesting Egyptians? Or would the people be repressed, sabotaged by provocateurs?

In anticipation of being denounced as a pro-Aristide partisan, let me repeat that my organization has operated on a strict non-violent, non-partisan basis, seeking to support the truth–condemnations, as well as support, of official government actions. We look at the facts and the laws and the process for redress of wrongs that people use. I am fairly familiar with people who lost confidence in Aristide. I had a classmate, Fr. Max Dominique, who, along with the people in his inner circle supported Aristide in the beginning, decided not to support him after 2000 because they believed he had retreated from a strict non-violent philosophy of fighting for the rights of the poor. I believe that the case against Aristide is fraught
with wild propaganda. With the violence of the Duvaliers, the military regimes, the armed overthrow of 1991, it is understandable that Aristide could adopt a self-defense philosophy. Not withstanding the withdrawal over non-violence, these one-time supporters did not/would not support Aristide’s violent overthrow.

What I write here is no more, no less, than supporting the rule of law, democratically established. In the case of the repression of rights, I certainly support non-violent action to pressure for redress. I cannot
condemn those who use violence in self-defense. Non-violence, though, is my moral choice. Haitians deserve the restoration of their rights, via non-violent action at least. There is no need to hide the fact that
the policies of Aristide were pro-poor, that he was working for universal access to education for the masses, universal health care, the right of workers to unionize, a living wage–all policies that have powerful enemies–just as we are seeing here in the U.S. These solutions to equality will be fought by those who espouse capitalism, the trickle down economic theory, and the spiritual jingoism distorted from the bible (Mt. 26:11) that “the poor you will always have with you.” This is the real contest. A contest that should be fought with ballots, not bullets. But we can’t have it both ways, rule of law and rule of the gun and dirty money.

The will of the people even after decades of repression as we’ve seen in Egypt will become evident. The question is which side are we on? When will we make justice ring out?

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Posted in Haiti Human Rights

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | February 27, 2011

Support Duvalier Victims

GO TO CHANGE.ORG

A group of victims and family members of the Duvalier regime is seeking worldwide support for their cause.

To go to “change.org” to sign their petition, click on the image to the left.

Here is an English version of the message:

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE HAITIAN LAW SYSTEM IN THE JEAN CLAUDE DUVALIER TRIAL

We, the undersigned individuals and institutions from around the world, express our strongest support for the efforts of the Haitian legal system to investigate, bring to trial and sanction the violations of human rights perpetrated under the Jean Claude Duvalier dictatorship.  We state our full solidarity with the victims of this dictatorship and their quest for justice.  The violations perpetrated under this regime constitute crimes against humanity, to which a statute of limitations does not apply. The rejection of impunity in these cases is clearly required by international law and public conscience. This is why we recall that truth, justice, reparation and the documentation of the past are essential conditions for the construction of the rule of law, the implementation of an advanced democracy and the achievement of human and sustainable development, objectives legitimately coveted by the suffering Haitian people.

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Posted in Haiti Human Rights | Tags:

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | February 26, 2011

News Bulletin Feb. 2011

HURAH NEWS BULLETIN
- 02.25.11


Hello !

We’ve got some still good news and some mixed news.

GOOD: Check out what our Human Rights Defender on the ground, Gentilhomme, is doing. He is still involved in a major scholarship program for poor kids. And he is our active representative
in our program to support the development of a strong cooperative movement.

MIXED: see below where we’re at with the cooperative development movement.  We have had to drop our work in the fundraising project with AMCC. But we are continuing to support cooperative development.   See details below.

Please keep us in your thoughts.

Thank you for all you’ve done in the past!

Tom

==================================================================

GENTILHOMME:
OUR HURAH “DEFENDER” of Human Rights:

HE WANTS TO CONTINUE! PLEASE HELP WITH HIS BUDGET.
DONATE

Gentilhomme is still willing to stay with us because of his devotion to human rights even though my request for donations these past 6 months has not resulted in sufficient funds to support him except for room rent, internet service, cellphone assistance.

So I’m making another appeal. Just $3,160 for a whole year! Monthly $263. I figure by providing him with some expenses he can survive while also helping human rights go forward. This is the field he would like to stay in. He still works with AUMOHD as well. If we can raise this whole budget we could give him a stipend of $1.25 per hour for personal expenses.
See our DONATE page for more explanations.

We want to continue to involve Gentilhomme in the development of
the cooperative movement. He needs to study the movement, acquire skills in
coop management. Please consider helping us make this real contribution to the
movement.

See our DONATE page

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:

Gentilhomme has helped St. Columba Parish in Oakland to work out a scholarship program for kids not able to afford to go to school. HOPE FOR HAITI: EDUCATION

Gentilhomme has worked with the Community Human Rights
Council -CHRC in one of the poorest, most dangerous sections of the capital
of Haiti Port-Au-Prince to select 170 students, and purchase school supplies
including uniforms, books, book bags and tuition. Gentilhomme has photographed each student and composed a biographical statement for the sponsors.

From 2005-2009 Hurah has supported the Grand Ravine CHRC through AUMOHD, providing them with grants for transportation, phone, office renovations.

If you would like to contribute, send a check to St. Columba Parish, Haiti
Committee, 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Ca. 94608

THANKS! As always a big thank you to everyone who donates and who supports us in any way!

ENJOY AND GET ENTHUSED!

=====================================================

PROMOTING THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT

CREDIBLE “MODEL” COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

The goal isn’t impossible. Not being an expert in business financing or construction, I left that to AMCC’s leadership and past history which was credible. The two coops slated for the “model” development had been organized expertly by AMCC since the mid ’90′s.

When I read now about the common problem in Haiti during this post-quake period that people have with land ownership, our friends in Milot and Galette Chambon had resolved this almost 20 years ago. They were well on their way to getting the “model” coop going with professional architectural planners and they were committed to “green” practices. Central to the plan was education for all–a serious commitment to do something about the “restavek” problem (domestic servitude of children).

“MACRO-CREDIT”: KEY TO SUSTAINABILITY

Another key to the “model” was “macro-credit” financing. Even as international aid groups were beginning the “micro-credit” programs like the Grameen Foundation, AMCC with its experience created a full service bank that was by design controlled by its cooperative members. 51% of the shareholders were by statute required to be coops. What happened to this “model” undertaking is part of the history of Haiti’s wrenching political scene complicated with the coup in 2004 and it is also the history of ordinary criminal activity. Members of the bank’s board of directors, still well known leaders in Haiti, defrauded the bank by absconding with its funds and falsifying elections to the board. Some Haitian government banking officials also acted illegally by having the bank closed. A sad story, but a major blow to serious business development in Haiti’s poor cooperative communities. I have learned in this process that “micro-credit” cannot put the needed investment money into businesses that will have a chance to make the business “sustainable” that is, not dependent on handouts.

BECOMING A COOPERATIVE

Hurah’s role/job/assignment was to be the “watch-dog” for human rights, within our group and as we worked with/advocated for the goal. My major concentration in the last 6 months was facilitating the formation of
the Alliance of Haitian Cooperatives For Human Rights-AHCHR. We began with the already established coops and we attracted coops in the making. We also acquired “Support” members like Hurah, agencies with special services. AUMOHD our friend and partner in Haiti joined. Sirona Cares, a non-profit agency in SFO that helps Haitian farmers grow jatropha plants for harvesting its rich-in-oil beans that will bring in income by providing a source of electricity. It was wonderful being part of the serious exchange and study of the 7 Principles of Cooperatives (International Cooperative Alliance). We created a business structure for the Alliance with committees and responsibilities. We created a website (click above on Alliance). We began meeting using e-mail, cellphones and SKYPE. It was exhilarating to see our coming together across the barriers of time, sea, and land–including our peasant farmer friends.

MAJOR FUNDRAISING PROJECT CANCELED

Here’s a sad report to tell everyone that the million dollar project Hurah signed onto last summer–for a second time–and which I’ve reported on in our recent bulletins has ended. Yes, this is the second time I’ve had to withdraw from this project–$9millionUSD to build a model cooperative in two locations–Milot and Galette Chambon–with safe, family housing, education for all and a sustainable eco-tourism business. Promoting this “model” was meant to set in motion a nation-wide movement, an alliance of such coops that would make serious inroads into the poverty, homeless, situation of the people Hurah wants to do something for in the long term. We haven’t given up on the mission, just the fund raising piece due to “irreconcilable” differences with the lead organization.

OUR SETBACK

The devil is always in the details in human interactions. I thought that the conflicts between Hurah and the lead organization, AMCC (American
Museum of Creole Cultures) had been resolved and that we could achieve our goal, if not entirely, at least substantially.This is when our relationship with AMCC fell apart. It happened when we started trying to work cooperatively in live meetings and in e-mail follow-ups, dealing with confusion, with outright disagreements. I was not prepared to have such a serious breakdown in the way people need to behave in cooperative organizations. The approach –among those who have studied and endorsed the 7 Principles– is intended to be positive, respectful, and trusting. But this was not the way our AMCC member behaved. Instead we were subjected to an attack on the very existence of the Alliance. However I persisted following coop procedures, calling for transparency, for voting on issues. In the end it was a clear majority that said we were operating in a credible way. The AMCC rep continued to be disruptive and finally bid us good bye. That meant, of course, we lost our business expert. It was then that I decided my concerns about our ability to work successfully together in the fund raising phase needed to be heeded. With the severe breakdown on AMCC’s part in handling problems cooperatively I couldn’t see us getting through the tough grind of holding fundraisers around the US and Canada. And since we were working to build the “model” cooperative and already AMCC had attacked our fledgling cooperative Alliance, I had no choice but to end Hurah’s involvement. So whatever we’ve published in the past 6 months about our commitments, our support for the TOUR aka The Talent School International Network, this is all now cancelled.

STILL KEEPIN’ ON

We intend to continue supporting the Alliance. Our coop friends–peasant farmers still ready to seek the “model” coop, still generously open to incorporating earthquake refugees– say they want to “keep on keepin on.” Hurah will provide research assistance in growing the Alliance, liaison with carious coop support agencies. We will provide our fiscal agent services for potential grant money to promote cooperative development. So please
consider still donating to Hurah, including money and time!

Tom Luce

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

to top

=============================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

===============================================================

Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click here.Or
mail a check to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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Posted in Haiti Human Rights

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | December 1, 2010

AHCHR- Alliance of Haitian Co-operatives for Human Rights

HURAH NEWS BULLETIN – 11.28.10 BLOG SITE STORY INDEX

Dear Friend of Haiti,

I’m pitching this call for HELP out of the depths of my heart for our Haitian friends so beset by unbelievable disasters, natural and political.

NETWORKED, MULTIPURPOSE, CO-OPERATIVE MODEL:

We have something “special” to make “sustainable” come true. We think you will agree that we’re pushing something unique, a vibrant cooperative economy. We’re not the originators.  Cooperative economies are growing around the world.  We’re just pushing for strengthening  Haitian coops.

We’re pushing a model that will bring long term solutions to Haiti’s socio-economic problems.

We’re talking about a “networked, multipurpose cooperative model”:

Member owned: 1) land; 2) quakeproof and green family lodging;
3) education for all; 4) food self-sufficiency; 5) “macro” funding,
and 6) business development such as “eco-tourism.” No more restaveks!

Read more in our STORY INDEX about the “macro” funding piece. You will see how
our work will be mold-breaking and probably will shake some people up.

“COOPERATIVE” is still a sleeping giant in Haiti, but growing strong in the world.

HURAH needs your FINANCIAL HELP:

(1) to keep its presence in Haiti with Gentilhomme
Jean-Gilles, our “Human Rights Defender.”
(2) to get WHEELS for Gentilhomme
(3) to do our bit for the “multipurpose cooperative model.”

We have a new DONATE page ready to receive your donations- tax free,
big or small. Just imagine if our 700 supporters could send $5,
we’d take care of our Defender of Human Rights, keeping him on the road
to assist wherever he can representing Hurah.

Send checks to Hurah, Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Apt. C. Berkeley,
Ca 94703

ALL KINDS OF HELP:
Anyone who wants to really help Haiti but can’t go there or who doesn’t have
money, WRITE ME or CALL ME immediately! 510-229-3571, 510-423-2233
president@hurah.org I’m begging for all kinds of help, keeping our finances in order
for the IRS. We have offered to serve as the 501(c)(3) recipient for the money raised for the cooperatives.
Please, anyone who loves to handle figures (Quicken anyone)? Anyone who wants
to run this web/bulletin? Research cooperatives? Grant writing?

As never before I’m driven to continue doing our “bit” and hopefully
we’ll get the support to contribute to a “sustainable” Haiti. Read
on below.

Thanks so much !

Tom

HURAH BLOG

STORY INDEX: 1)Gentilhomme; 2)AHCHR: Alliance of Haitian Cooperatives for Human Rights; 3) LABOR RIGHTS; 4)SCHOLARSHIPS

SuGentilhomme
(GH) Jean-Gilles: HURAH’S “HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER” IN HAÏTI pporters
Edition: 800

NOTE: Hurah, Inc. was headed for extinction just
before the earthquake, not enough funding for major programs, but we managed to hang on to a dedicated human rights volunteer, Gentilhomme or “GH” for short. We never did have any staff or office such as other groups who have great programs. We are proud what we were able to do with AUMOHD for 5 years.

The earthquake compelled us to find a way to keep on. Now with GH we have been able to do meaningful work, facilitating scholarships for 170 students in Gran Ravin–one of our first areas of involvement. We have continued to support AUMOHD’s projects with GH’s “accompaniment” services. And we’re counting on GH to be the catalyst for our cooperative support. We cannot “hire” GH with any kind of basic salary. But we can give him basic support.

DONATE

Here is the budget:

Monthly Expenses: phone $45, gas $20, internet $60, rent $100… Total
Monthly Expenses =$225, annually $2,700

Stipend: 20h @ $2.00 h (min wage, $1.25 + $.75) Total Monthly
Stipend = $174 Annual Stipend $2,088 + Expenses: $2,700 = $4,788 annually (continued
next column…)

RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintains regular communications between
human rights groups/individuals in Haiti and Hurah; Reports on human rights
activities; collaborates with human rights organizations in joint campaigns;
represents Hurah, Inc. in Haiti; liaisons with projects like the St. Columba
Scholarship program for the Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council (CHRC-GR),
negotiating terms, providing photos and updates; Cooperatives For Human Rights
In Haiti-CHRH;

SKILLS: fluent in French/Creole, studying English, competent
in negotiating non-violently in dangerous situations; holds driver’s license;
has computer and internet skills and able to do office management and accounting,
familiar with the human rights organizations and government groups in Haiti,
experience with an established human rights organization.

WHEELS:
Getting around PAP is bad enough but now we have to get around to so
many distant cooperatives over even worse roads. One of our partners, life-long
Haitian who knows cars says that we need no more than 3 year old second hand
SUV. He knows of one for $3,000. We have two initial gifts of $1,300 which leaves
us $1,700 to go. HELP!

See story below related to Gentilhomme’s neighborhood….

Note:
This man named Lindor was killed in GH’s neighborhood recently apparently the victim of a criminal shooting. GH lives in the same atmosphere as all the Haitians we read about including the quake, the hurricane, and now the cholera epidemic. Our support for GH not only helps us keep in direct touch, but helps him survive and do the kind of life’s work he wants.

DONATE!
or send check to “Hurah”, Tom Luce 1515 Fairview St, Berkeley, Ca.
94703

Story Index

2.AHCHR: Alliance of Haitian Coops for Human Rights – coop-owned land, family lodging, child care, food, education, income producing business

a growing partnership with the
AUMOHD ,
and Networks of Cooperatives in Haiti.

THE THIRD WAY – NETWORKED, INTEGRATED COOPS

Click on photo to go to the new web site featuring our program. This scene is a view of land at Galette Chambon where our partner, the Co-operative Invest in Galette Chambon -CIGC- offered just three days after the earthquake to welcome up to 20 000 refugees and to integrate those who wished into their Eco-Tourism project “Bel Azuei”. To this day, the Préval government has only perfunctorily acknowledged the offer, but not responded at all.

THE THIRD WAY is what some people call the cooperative movement. Hurah is promoting cooperatives for Haiti, networked and integrated cooperatives. This is because neither the government nor the business sector with their international assistance agencies have an equitable, sustainable “reconstruction” plan for the majority of Haitians.THE THIRD WAY is based on justice, not charity. The powers-that-be have shown no willingness to reorganize and develop Haiti’s economy equitably, to provide universal education or to make decent housing available to the people. The majority of Haitians have always been ready to do what is necessary for their well-being. They do not need charity, hand-outs, but the proverbial hand-up. The THIRD WAY is what Haitians need, the cooperative socio-economic organization that has proven to be the most effective manner of creating and sharing wealth. Check out the international scene at International Cooperative Alliance

AHCHR is a growing coalition of cooperatives for human rights in Haiti. Here are the basic rights we’re promoting: 1) land jointly owned; 2) single family owned and green housing where orphans are welcome; 3) food self-reliance; 4) education for all children; 5) financial support for business development. Everyone talks about “sustainable”. We are promoting more than just isolated cooperatives. We want an “integrated”, coalition model that can achieve the reality. Two crucial tools to sustainability are 1) a banking “macro-credit” system; and 2) land ownership. When loans like $40,000 for a jatropha oil pressing machine have to be obtained from regular banks, the business venture becomes unviable. When land can be grabbed from small farmers, there is no sustainability.

THE NETWORKED, INTEGRATED COOPERATIVE MODEL

We are working to achieve sustainability by supporting the CHRH coalition. I’ve been looking around a lot lately. You can’t be but impressed by the scores of programs especially those that are seeking to strengthen the socioeconomic structures based in agriculture. But I don’t see central to their plans the provision of family-centered housing that will take care of children who have no family. We want to eliminate orphanages and “restaveks” (child servants/slaves). Too many programs leave it to good will, maybe even chance, or just to informal business coops. And then where is the plan for universal education? Instead of orphanages and “scholarships” for some poor children, shouldn’t families be part of a system that provides these basic rights? And without depending on charity?

AHCHR has schooling at the center, which is mandatory for all children paid for by the coop businesses. FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY requires a strong eco-friendly infrastructure, water purification, soil improvement, solar energy, machinery for joint crop management.

“MACRO” CREDIT: Is “Micro” Enough? –
Our AHCHR model has something that no one else seems to have have thought of, or has tried to develop, a “macro credit” program.

The “micro” credit movement has grown by leaps and bounds—with some problems like too high interest. But everyone I talk to says that for real development by impoverished populations there has to be a full financial services institution such as a chartered bank to service the cooperative market.

Banks do exist, of course, commercial banks. But many people, as you can imagine, have problems with banks–even if all banks had good reputations! A commercially chartered bank –for profit– controlled by local cooperatives is what is still needed today.  If the coop share holders are also the majority customers, they will see to it that their bank will invest its credit portfolio primarily in production via sound cooperative entities and will not get involved in either speculative transactions calling for abusive interest rates or practice any form of discrimination among its customers. Salary structures would be equitable and income will be used for the priority needs determined democratically. Also the minority non-coop customers would be protected from abuses because of the justice essence of cooperatives.

AHCHR, THE COST?

We need educational programs on the recognition of Human Rights examining all forms of bondage: from slavery to sweat shops and prostitution, Migration and Colonialism. Our AHCHR will provide a real context for what remedies for slavery look like. Haiti, the first and the only state created by local enslaved rebels and human rights activists, the 2nd republic of the Americas, a flag bearer for Cultural Diversity: Peul, Wolof, Congo, Spanish, French, British, German, etc…and Human Dignity since its foundation in1804.

If you are interested in working on AHCHR, write me immediately! president@hurah.org or give to our  AHCHR fund on line: DONATE, or send a check: Hurah, Tom Luce 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, CA 94703 We are promising to do our part, volunteering publicity, research, 501(c)(3) status, Gentilhomme in Haiti.
Don’t forget:  AHCHR is not a dream but an already existing coalition of Haitian cooperatives that have been ready since the 1990′s, who own their land and are committed to all the values presented in our documents. That includes helping quake refugees resettle permanently in the country.

DONATE or send check to “Hurah”, Tom Luce 1515 Fairview St, Berkeley, Ca. 94703

Story Index

3. LABOR RIGHTS-AUMOHD

Our friends in AUMOHD continue to work for labor rights and strengthening
labor unions. Here is the photo of a demonstration held early in November promoting the program, ALST, Legal Assistance and Solidarity So People Can Work. AUMOHD has been funded by the Solidarity Center, an international project of AFL-CIO to be the Solidarity Center for Haiti. During the immediate quake period it was a beehive of meetings and distribution center for relief supplies for the greater PAP region and beyond. Now they continue to provide this ALST program that is free legal assistance for workers. This demonstration also was pushing for the reopening of the labor court, shuttered since the quake. Hurah was happy to sign an international petition for opening this court. (photos courtesy our own Human Right Defender, Gentilhomme)

Story Index

4. SCHOLARSHIPS:

Gentilhomme, our Human Rights
Defender (DONATE), has been working for over a month to assist the Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council in identifying and funding 170 children for scholarships. St. Columba Parish in Oakland, Ca. is the sending group. If you wish to contribute to this program, send a check to Haiti Project, St. Columba Parish, 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Ca. 94608

Story Index
==========================================================
CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE:DONATE
Send Checks to Tom Luce,
1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

Human Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click here.Or mail a check to
Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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Posted in Haiti Human Rights

Posted by: Piedrasyluz | October 3, 2010

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: COOPS

HURAH SUPPORTERS NEWS BULLETIN
- 9.26.10

Dear Friend of Haiti,

On the road again! After looking at the need again, at my still relatively privileged status and after consulting with the Hurah board, I’ve decided to stay on the job a little longer. I’ll need everyone’s help, of course. Every little bit counts. There is a big program and a small one. I hope you will be moved to give again. Please read on!

GENTILHOMME: OUR HURAH “DEFENDER” of Human Rights:

HE WILL CONTINUE! PLEASE HELP WITH HIS BUDGET. DONATE
The trainee period is over. Wow 6 months have sped by! Gentilhomme has agreed to stay with us even though my request for donations these past 2 months has not resulted in sufficient funds for him. So I’m making another appeal. Just $3,160 for a whole year! Monthly $263. I figure by providing him with expenses for rent (his room is his office), internet, gasoline, phone, he can survive while also helping human rights go forward. This is the field he would like to stay in. He still works with AUMOHD as well. If we can raise this whole budget we could give him a stipend of $1.25 per hour for personal expenses. See our DONATE page for more explanations.

BIG DEAL: SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT! The big project we started and then had to drop after the earthquake is now back on. Not just the word, “sustainable“, not just an idea, but a plan with roots in the ground already. It’s the “coop” model guaranteeing education, food sufficiency and income from ecotourism. You will remember that we began working with a land coop, Galette Chambon, after the earthquake. This was the generous group that offered to take in several thousand earthquake refugees, not just temporarily, but as settlers in a green, sustainable land coop. Read about this below and get excited!

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Gentilhomme has helped St. Columba Parish in Oakland to work out a scholarship program for kids not able to afford to go to school. HOPE FOR HAITI: EDUCATION Over the years we have restricted ourselves to advocacy in legal/judicial reform. Education is a human right, of course, but we leave that to others. In this case Hurah is helping establish the scholarship program with our long time friends and human rights defenders community in Grand Ravine by providing liaison with St. Columba Parish.

THANKS! As always a big thank you to everyone who donates
and who supports us in any way!

ENJOY AND GET ENTHUSED!

Tom Luce

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

to top / to index

================================================

Gentilhomme (GH) Jean-Gilles: THE HUMAN RIGHTS BEAT

note:
don’t forget we need money for Gentilhomme: DONATE

INDEX:

1. SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: COOPS, THE TOUR! Human Rights Through the Arts!

2. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRAND RAVINE
- find out how to help 

Picture below: On Friday, Sept. 24th a local windstorm of an estimated
60mph ripped through Port-Au-Prince destroying several thousand tents, killing 5 people and destroying many trees. GH went out to survey the damage. Here is one sample of tree damage. The storm also knocked out electricity systems. GH’s solar panel was not destroyed but he had to bring it down off the roof to protect it and he has no electricity.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE;

Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

====================================

1. SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:COOPS, THE
TOUR, HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH THE ARTS!

by Tom Luce

HURAH
is again backing sustainable development in Haiti. In January we called
it SIHRH–Sustainable Investment and Human Rights In Haiti–as
the earthquake complicated –beyond the imagination– the life of the poor in
Haiti.

SIHRH: The bold, essential program aimed at creating a
sustainable socioeconomic model for a new Haiti based on agricultural coops
with complete K-12 education, and eco tourism for income, is worth our efforts.
We have been asked to monitor the human rights values involved in the implementation
of the coop model, to provide a temporary account for donations until the cooperative
bank is opened in Haiti, and to assist in fund raising. In February I visited
the agricultural coop of peasant farmers in Galette Chambon, 40 miles east of
Port-Au-Prince on the border with the Dominican Republic. This group of people
was open to receiving quake refugees to settle on the coop and allowing them
to become owner-members and participate in their plans for sustainable agriculture
and an eco-tourism business. They enthusiastically offered to take in thousands
of quake refugees as part of our SIHRH plan to permanently organize Haitians
in food self-sufficiency, economic self-sufficiency (eco tourism) and assure
education for all children (ending the restavek system.).Our “Defender”,
Gentilhomme, will be studying the coop movement as it has developed in Haiti
and will be establishing contacts for Hurah with the coop leadership. Hurah
wants to support the best in human rights commitment at every level so that
democratic rule, equal access, inclusivity, worker rights etc. are will govern
the coops.

CREDIBLE CHAMPIONS

Randolph
Voyard, the architect of SIHRH and also Pres. of the American
Museum of Creole Cultures (AMCC) has invited us to take up the
challenge again and work with AMCC to raise funds for the cooperative program
he has continued to promote since the earthquake. It was he along with dozens
of coops in the late 90′s who promoted cooperative farming and econtourism,
a way for landless, impoverished Haitians could claim ownership, provide for
food, and benefit from the tourism industry.

The same network of people is involved, the already established
coops in Haiti’s agricultural center. We will be consolidating connections with
the rest of existing coops–some 40+. They have been working at the coop plan
for decades with Randolph providing technical expertise for land management,
banking tools, and business development.. I am proud to join in this new push
for bringing their dreams to reality.

The AMCC is not yet established itself in Florida but because
of the earthquake and its commitment to equality it is foregoing its own development
in favor of Haiti. I believe that the management problems that caused us to
suspend our involvement in April have been surmounted. The conditions in Haiti
have not improved–only 15% of the promised international aid has arrived. The
government faces more destabilization with the upcoming contested elections.
Meantime there is the same old non-sustainable programming being pushed without
regard for the majority poor.

THE TOUR: THROUGH THE ARTS, HUMAN RIGHTS

A new fund raising program for our Haitian human rights programs,
THE TOUR
is being organized now by AMCC for 2011. This will be a combination of auctioning
donated works of the French master, Georges
Braque, as well as artwork of African American artists who emigrated
to France because of discrimination in the Jim Crow era. The story of slavery
and the history of slavery up to the present, so amply included in the book
by Nell Irvin Painter, “Creating Black America: African American history
1619-present will be told in connection with this rich collection of art. It
is this history that the TOUR will feature, stimulating not just art appreciation
but the promotion of fundamental human rights, never to allow any more slavery
in our present time. Names like Archibald Motley, Palmer Hayden, Hale Woodruff
and many others of these expatriates provide rich experiences of life affected
by racism.

SLAVE TRADE:LA FRATERNITÉ

THE
TOUR will also include educational activities organized by a unique
group from France–Le Bateau Pédagogique (Teaching Boat)–building a
replica of the slave ship, L’Aurore, that will connect historical slavery and
modern day slavery with challenge to remedy this blight on humanity. Le
Bateau Pédagogique is a project out of Nantes, France (largest
slave trading port in Europe).L’Aurore was a major (500-600 slaves each shipment)
transport vessel in the “The
Triangular Trade“ (Africa, Europe-France, the Americas 17-19 centuries)
of slaves. La Fraternité is joining AMCC and Hurah in the TOUR to contribute
to the educational component.

THE TALENT SCHOOLS

Using the funds for the Haitian Coop movement will
be an example of how to remedy the effects of slavery, giving Haiti another
chance of being a model for equality and opportunity for all as it was in 1804
when it became the first freed slave republic. We are focusing on tuition free
education as the centerpiece of the coop model and are calling the education
piece, THE TALENT SCHOOLS. The plans encompass more than just a school building
but homes for the families, meals for the students prepared on site with up-to-date
kitchen equipment, food grown on site with green methodology, environmentally
sound sanitation means. Ten such schools are envisioned in all parts of Haiti’s
rural lands.Long term economic systems funded by eco-tourism will provide income
and employment for sustainable development.

For a copy of the complete “TOUR” plan, go to this link:
“TOUR”

====================================
2. Scholarships for Grand Ravine
Children by Gentilhomme

As mentioned last month Hurah’s Rep, GH, has been working with the Grand Ravine
Community Human Rights Council CHRC-GR on scholarships. Pres.Point-Du-Jour gathered
a group of 170 eligible children on 9.12.10 and GH took photos (see left). The
parish of St. Columba in Oakland, California has taken on the challenge of raising
funds for these children.

An average of $222 per year is what it costs, school fee and school
materials (uniform, shoes, books, pencils, etc). A first installment of several
thousand dollars will be made to help some start school on Oct..4, the delayed
opening due to the earthquake.

GH will see that each child will have a picture and a personal
statement for the scholarship donor.

If you would like to contribute, send a check to St. Columba
Parish, Haiti Committee, 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Ca. 94608
=========================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

back to index

=========================================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce,
1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

back to index

===============================================================

Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click here.Or
mail a check to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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Posted by: Piedrasyluz | September 22, 2010

Prisoners Released!

HURAH SUPPORTERS NEWS BULLETIN
- 8.30.10

Dear Friend of Haiti,

DELIVERY? Many people reported initially
that they had not received our last bulletin. But in checking back it seems that we didn’t have a problem in bulletin delivery. Perhaps the summer and too many e-mails to read is the problem.

RETURN HOME: It was great getting back to Vermont or the first time since moving out west.(5 years) Great seeing all our supporters!

SHORT:We did not get what we needed
to finish up our commitment to our new Trainee, Gentilhomme There were about
$525 in new donations.We are about $1,320 short and would like to finish up
giving this to Gentilhomme who has continued working under always difficult
circumstances. His program runs out at the end of October–6 months in all.

AFTER SEPTEMBER?: Will we be able to
fund our new program, now to be called Human Rights Advocate (originally Communication
Trainee)beginning in October for one year? We figure we need $7,060. This will
cover expenses for housing/phone/gas/internet plus a stipend at the minimum
wage ($5) for 20 hours a week. This will provide Gentilhomme with some employment
and Hurah with a first hand representative on the scene. He would continue to
represent us at various agencies, advocate for the abuse, give us reports, search
out programs we want to support. We’ll see what starts coming in now during
September and take it as we go. Monthly our budget works out to about $588.
We have to pay rent on a 6 month basis, so that will have to come first. Then
we’ll see how it goes after that

THANKS! As always a big thank you to everyone who donates
and who supports us in any way!

P.S.: As we go to press we have received two requests: 1)
receive money for the AUMOHD prisoner release program using our tax-exempt status (see article below); 2) to join again in the long term sustainable
plan we first started in January after the earthquake, see short story below.
Tom Luce

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

to top / to
index

Gentilhomme (GH) Jean-Gilles: THE HUMAN RIGHTS BEAT

INDEX:

1. Prisoner Release – Donate to their
fund

2. Update On Violence In Camp

3. Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council

4. Sustainable Future For Haitians?

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
ONLINE;

Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

====================================

1. PRISONER RELEASE:Good News! see below
about donating to them

by Tom Luce and Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles

Picture – far left taken in AUMOHD courtyard: Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles,
Hurah Trainee; Maurice Geiger in center with Atty. Fanfan behind him. Others
are ex-prisoners. American at right is with the Rural Justice center.

As reported last month, the perennial problem of poor people being thrown in
prison illegally and kept there has been getting some resolution. Thanks to
AUMOHD and the Rural Justice Center (RJC), as well as with good cooperation
from the government prosecutor’s office and the penitentiary administration,
a couple dozen of these prisoners have been freed.

At a press conference on Aug. 4, AUMOHD and the RJC brought these men and their
families together to celebrate their freedom and to press for continued proper
handling of illegal prisoners. Since the earthquake the problem has been complicated
because there have been people rounded up, allegedly having escapted from prison
and thrown back in. Mr. Harrycidas Auguste government prosecutor worked with
AUMOHD and the RJC. As has been the struggle that AUMOHD has waged since 2004,
no money is paid for this action, neither the court/prison system gets paid
for releasing these illegally held people, nor does AUMOHD. This is judicial
reform at its best.

left,
Maurice Geiger of the Rural Justice Center (NH) who has partnered with AUMOHD,
Atty. Fanfan, right, President – continuing to advocate for the release of illegally
detained prisoners. Hurah celebrates this perennial challenge and is glad to
celebrate this victory and support AUMOHD.

NOTICE: AUMOHD has asked Hurah to hold funds for these prisoners
since people have been asking how to help with their expenses, trying to get
back on their feet and to get home. If you care to donate to this effort simply
send checks designated “prisoners” to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St.,
Berkeley, Ca 94703 or CLICK HERE TO
DONATE Online.

Picture below: The conference about the release of the prisoners
included an artistic presentation including the clown pictures below.

=======================

2. UPDATE ON VIOLENCE IN A CAMP by Gentilhomme

Back in June we reported that Gentilhomme was effective in bringing some order
to a camp that had been involved in violent acts against vulnerable campers,
in particular some young boys in the care of one of our colleagues. GH managed
to get wide estimony from campers who were affected. He was able to obtain clear
evidence that it was a certain few people, not even residents of the camp who
were perpetrating the violence. Gentilhomme talked with the camp rep on 8/26/10
and learned that things are going well for the moment, thanks to his (Gentihomme-Hurah’s)
work. Not more threats. According to this rep the Red Cross has been working
on a shelter project, building small houses for those who already have some
land, or whose families have some land. They have a project of building 1090
small houses. The camp rep reported that he has met with a group of organizations
about security, either from the police or from the UN program. Occasionally
the UN soldiers come around.

==============================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

back to index

==============================

3. Grand Ravine Community Human Rights Council by Gentilhomme

At
the end of July Gentilhomme met with the Grand Ravin Community Human Rights
Council (CHRC-GR) and learned of their activities. This CHRC-GR has been supported
by Hurah from the horrible days of the first massacres in 2005 and then afterward
through a 3rd massacre and house burning. Hurah has helped these folks as they
were being threatened with violence just because they were advocating for justice
in their community–in opposition to some violent thugs and other groups used
to intimidation to get their way. Last year we provided funds for renovating
an office that would give them even more visibility. They are a brave group,
many of the originals members. There are 11 members currently including the
former head who was driven out of the community, Frantzco Joseph.

The CCDH-GR meets weekly on Thursdays and once a month with the
victims. (The cases of reparations for loss of life and property are still pending
since 2005-6 and AUMOHD wishes to take them to the Interamercan Court to obtain
a judgment. The Haitian Government was in charge and the police perpetrated
the first massacre..

They organize days of consultation with AUMOHD on human rights
advocacy. They have been able to distribute some food to victims. Hurah was
able to donate $500 to this cause in February.

They have begun a program of “microcredit” loans to
help 9 individuals begin a small business. Hurah is seeking help for this program
as well as for scholarships for 500 children with no means to attend school.
See below if you would like to donate to these causes. Picture: sign advertising
the presence of the Grand Ravin CHRC. Solidarity, Together, Human Rights, Justice,
Peace, Nonviolence.

=========================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

back to index

=============================================

4. SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR HAITIANS?

As reported last month Hurah had to suspend its involvement in
a very special program aimed at creating a sustainable socio-economic model
for a new Haiti based on agricultural coops and ecotourism. Tom Luce visited
the agricultural coop of peasant farmers in Galette Chambon, 40 miles east of
Port-Au-Prince on the border with the Dominican Republic. This group of people
were open to receiving quake refugees to settle on the coop and allowing them
to become owner-members and partiipate in their plans for sustainable agriculture
and an eco-tourism business. The pressures of managing such a program in its
start up phase proved to be too much. Now Hurah has been invited again to participate
with the originators of the project, the American Museum of Creole Cultures
(AMCC)American Museum of Creole
Cultures (AMCC) Funds will be raised through the auction of French
artworks during an educational tour in the US and Canada for the purpose of
setting up schools in two of the land coops already established, Galette Chambon
and Milot.

Watch for a special bulletin announcing the details
of this project.

==============================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

back to index

===============================================================

Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click here.Or
mail a check to Tom Luce,

1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca. 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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Posted by: Piedrasyluz | July 10, 2010

Violence Meets Non-Violence In A Camp

HURAH NEWS BULLETIN – 7.4.10


Dear Friends of Haiti,

Thank you, again, to all Hurah donors for making all of our programs possible!

Our new program, Trainee in Communication, still needs substantial help. $1845. Please check out the budget proposal, or if you prefer, go directly to the news stories below in the bulletin and be convinced, of its value.

Here’s your choice of buttons to press. Thanks for checking out our Blog!

Thanks!
 Tom Luce

O.K. here you go: 1)INDEX
or 2) BUDGET

=================================

ADDITIONAL BUDGET
REQUEST – $1,845

Here’s another pitch for for additional money as
I did last month. Because of the desperate conditions in Haiti I still
believe that a small educational stipend is in order to cover the personal
expenses (food/water), that will allow GH to continue with his studies
and to keep abreast of the human rights situation which often involves
travel. Funding is needed for the phone and internet to continue both
education and work for HURAH.

Trainee in Communication – Human Rights Program – Total Budget:
$1,845 (We have already expended $3,545 for the basics (bike,
rent, internet equipment, healthcare). The rent is paid through September).

Monthly breakdown:

1. Gas-Phone ($25 each per week, 13 weeks) $650
2. Internet $60 per month (3 mos) $180
3. Stipend ($25 per week), total $325

One time expense: $250 (2 chairs, bedding,
a room fan).

New unexpected items: $440 (new motorbike repairs, equipment/work
on solar system)

TOTAL: $1,845 through September

Towards the end I will evaluate the program to
see if it will serve the goals of HURAH to partially fund a human rights
worker.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online; or Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

to top / to
index

===========================================================================

Gentilhomme
Jean-Gilles: THE HUMAN RIGHTS BEAT

Note:
Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles (GH), our HURAH rep. and trainee, has continued
on bravely in spite of another obstacle–another, but minor, accident
caused by school kids jumping into the street–to keep up with events
in human rights. He is a serious, religious young man who has kept
the greater good of his Haitian sisters and brothers in his vision
as his way of life. As we go to press another obstacle, a major
virus attack on his computer, has left us without communication
on the top story of this edition.

=====================================================

INDEX:

1.Violence at Camp:Attack
on the innocent

2.Advancing Labor Rights:series
of training around country on labor code

3.Progress:Solar Energy (at last!)

4.To The Defense Of Prisoners

5. Whither Haiti’s Reconstruction?

back to budget

================================================================

1. VIOLENCE IN A CAMP :Attack on
Innocents

from reports filed by Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles, Hurah reporter

Picture below: one of the many hundreds of tent cities in Port-Au-Prince
where a difficult life can be made even more difficult through violence,
especially against women and children. With the courage of a true
human rights defender Gentilhomme has personally gone to the site
of a camp where violence has allegedly occurred against some people
we personally know. He has interviewed significant people putting
himself at risk and has begun to make a case that we hope will be
settled peacefully even if it has to be taken to the justice system.
We are working to engage the responsible agencies dealing with these
camps including higher levels in the police department. Thanks to
Gentilhomme we will have an objective report. UPDATE: GH’s computer
virus has been taken care of and he has sent me more pictures. He
says things are “calming down” thanks to Hurah’s presence.
More later.

The
camp in question we are keeping anonymous so as to protect the innocent.
It is one of the hundreds of refugee camps in Port-Au-Prince, housing
several thousand people. We received a credible report that it has
been the scene of a violent attack on innocent people including
children.

Note: if you wish to learn how to help these people, send an
e-mail to Tom Luce

The report says that a group of people outside the camp has taken
over “management” of the camp, setting up rigid rules
that include exacting fees from residents and threatening retaliation
if these rules are not respected. They have caused even a young
person to be beaten and have threatened violence against others.including
being shot. They have destroyed numerous tents and shelters as punishment
against those they do not like including innocent people. They let
it be known that they were prepared to “frame” people
who oppose them and put them in jail.

Some people in these camps are street children and the prejudice
against them is often severe. Some of them can be as young as the
boy shown below, 5 years of age. They can be rejected by their families,
or they may run away from abusive homes. They may be rejects or
runaways from the “restavek”(one
who lives with) system of child slavery that affects some 300,000
children. Note: this link is to a post-quake CNN report. Google
“restavek” and find many other documentaries. Hurah
has been working in special ways for the street children. We want
to protect them now in the face of violence in these tent cities.
Picture left: 5yr old boy living in the street.
Picture right, boy after being cared for by specialists in caring
for street kids.

Hurah has sent out an alert to the human rights network, wrote
the head of the Haitian National Police, Mario Andresol, who has
been very supportive of the work Hurah and AUMOHD have done over
the years. Gentilhomme has gone to the camp twice and has alerted
Atty Fanfan of AUMOHD. On his last visit on June 29 he interviewed
dozens of people including the reputed criminal “Management
Committee.”

After leaving the camp Gentilhomme began receiving an endless stream
of phone calls of more individuals with reports of abuse. His preliminary
report is that indeed the chairlady of this committee has earned
a reputation of being out-of-control, allegedly breaking laws. He
saw with his own eyes the destruction of the tents/shelters of not
only the kids but of others. As of this publication date we are
attempting to engage others, NGO’s and the UN as well as the head
of police in bringing this camp under control.

Note: if you wish to learn how to help street kids, send an
e-mail to Tom Luce

=========================================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online or, Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

back to budget / back
to index

=========================================================================

2. ADVANCING LABOR RIGHTS:series of training
around country on labor code

Pictured, left, is the book, “Extract Of the Workers’
Code:For the Protection of The Rights of Workers”,
prepared by Atty. Evel Fanfan, AUMOHD, and published by the Solidarity
Center (AFL-CIO) in May of this year. Hurah’s Gentilhomme
reported on the public event held on the day of this publication
in Port-Au-Prince.

Note: for purposes of historical interest and for understanding
the complicated network of political interactions in Haiti, readers
are referred to an article touching on the Solidarity Center (an
AFL-CIO project) in the “Half
Hour For Haiti”section of IJDH (Institute for Justice
and Democracy In Haiti). There it is pointed out how the Solidarity
Center i.e., AFL-CIO, was working with a union (Batay Ouvriye) that
supported the 2004 coup against the Aristide government.

Gentilhomme, representing Hurah, Inc., joined a delegation of four
people, Atty. Fanfan of AUMOHD, Ms. Gaëlle Celestin, of the
Women’s Group (GFAMN), Patrick Numa, President of the Independent
General Organization of Workers (OGIT), who went on the first of
a series of training missions, set to reach the 10 departments of
Haiti, held in Ouanaminthe to promote workers rights among unions
using the AUMOHD book on the workers’ code. Ouanaminthe is in the
north on the border with the Dominican Republic, a

A union member, Zachary, from Ouanaminthe had been arbitrarily
arrested recently and AUMOHD launched a case for his liberation.
The training went over the Code, denounced all forms of abuse against
workers, and backed up the case for Zachary.

Pictured
at left is the training session with Atty Fanfan circulating as
the participants are studying the new “Extract Of the Code
For Workers:For the Protection of the Rights of Workers.”

==============================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online or, Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

back to budget / back
to index

==============================

3. PROGRESS:SOLAR ENERGY (at last!)

Some two years ago our benefactors provided us with $2,000 to
pay for a solar energy system to power one of the Community Human
Rights Council’s office–internet service, computer and cell-phone
charging.

We had experimented with donated equipment and consultation from
Namaste
Solar co-owner, Stephen Kane right from the beginning
so that we would benefit from Haiti’s sun and spare Haiti of more
diesel fuel consumption to conduct our communications–e-mail and
SKYPE–with AUMOHD and colleagues world-wide. Stephan designed a
Hurah special unit and delivered it to a colleague in Florida. Namaste
Solar donated $1200 to our earthquake relief.

Glitch
after glitch ended up in keeping the unit in Florida until last
summer when Joe Namphy, father of our board member, Paul Christian
Namphy, offered to see it shipped to Haiti. He and his wife, Mimi
Beckett, were running an import business of Haitian art (stained
glass and metalwork).Old
World Creations. Then in the fall, Joe, well-known
native Haitian in the national soccer program, unexpectedly died.
Mimi moved to Haiti to be with her son and family and to keep the
business running. She graciously offered to see that our solar system
would be transported to Haiti. As fate would have it the ship carrying
out system arrived on the day of the earthquake and had to turn
back to Florida. Mimi lost her home but was able to re-open her
business to keep her employees at work, and she still undertook
to get our system to us.

Gentilhomme was able to retrieve our system and has installed it
in his room/office and on his roof. It consists of a gray container
for the bank of batteries (4 deep cycle) along with the regulators
plus the one solar panel of 131watts. A problem with the regulator–controlling
the transfer of energy to and from the batteries–is apparently
the result of it’s long travels. We need $100 to replace it. Putting
power directly from the panel to the batteries is not a good solution
according to Stephen. So far with the sun being at its lowest availability–rainy
season–Gentilhomme has been able to keep his equipment running.
Very little power from the public utility has been available.

Gentilhomme
obtained a frame for the solar panel that is secured on the roof.
He has paid for all this set-up (including transporting the system
from across town) with what Hurah has been able to give him so far,
in addition to his other needs–room rent, motorbike, computer etc.

So now the original goal of equipping an office with minimal solar
power has finally been achieved!

Many thanks to our donors, to the Namphy/Beckett family (Old
World Creations)and to Namaste
Solar!!

==============================================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online or, Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

back to budget / back
to index

==============================================================================

4.
TO THE DEFENSE OF PRISONERS

Press Conference

AUMOHD-Rural Justice Center (RJC)

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

June 16, 2010

by Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles, Hurah reporter

“We condemn the situation of detainees
and prisoners at the National Penitentiary, especially minors. We
call upon the final report on the massacre at Les Cayes prison.”

Atty. Evel Fanfan, AUMOHD

Atty. Dorvil Odler, Rural Justice Center

1. We condemn the unacceptable conditions at the National
Penitentiary now holding 1176 prisoners where not only the rights
and dignity of these people continue to be violated systematically,
but also where the Haitian State, the Minister of Justice, the District
Court of Port-Au-Prince, and the Justices of the Peace never cease
to treat those prisoners as objects kept in concentration. As Mr.
Jean Louis Jouinet, independent expert at the UN says, “the
National Penitentiary of Haiti is the only place on earth that gives
a view of what one thinks of as hell.” In spite of promises
already made, the situation of the prisoners is worsening (food,
water, room to sleep).

2. We condemn the way in which the Ministry of Justice,
the Management of the DAP (administration of the Penitentiary) which
holds more than 50 minors who ought to be in a classroom. The presence
of these children clearly shows that the Haitian State does not
respect the law in general and in particular Resolution 44/15 of
Nov. 20, 1989 of the Constitution concerning the right and dignity
of children. We call for the freedom of these children.

3. AUMOHD and RJC state that there are more than 100
persons at the National Penitentiary who were re-arrested out of
600 who escaped during the earthquake and yet some of these declare
that they had never been in prison and others say that it is true
they were, but had been set free by the Justice Department. We wish
again not only to demand without delay the freedom of these people.
We also encourage those who are victims of this type of situation
to go and lodge their complaints against those who are responsible,
or at least are accomplices in this illegal detention.

4.
We finally take this occasion to ask the Haitian State and all others
responsible for the Aux Cayes (picture left) Prison Massacre to
publish the final report so that the people responsible for this
massacre may be judged.

Note 1: Years ago in Vermont I became acquainted
with the Rural
Justice Center, founded by Maurice Geiger of New Hampshire,
through Katie Fahnestock, one of the key lawyers working for the
center. I had heard they, among other poor nations, were interested
in Haiti. It was happy news to me that Mr. Geiger himself has been
spending time in Haiti working at the National Penitentiary where
Hurah first started. He especially has been involved after the quake.
It is great news that a Haitian lawyer, Atty. Odler is representing
the RJC in this way at the press conference with AUMOHD.

Note 2: The Les Cayes prison massacre, Jan. 19,
has been investigated at length by the NYT’s reporters, DEBORAH
SONTAG and WALT BOGDANICH and has caused quite a stir among human
rights advocates. To read the detailed report CLICK
HERE.

========================================================================

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Online or, Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

back to budget / back to
index

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

5. WHITHER HAITI’S RECONSTRUCTION?

by Tom Luce

Everyone asks me, of course, what is happening in Haiti? Is the
relief work really reaching the people who need it? What about this
we hear that reconstruction money is being siphoned off by money
makers, some even selling relief supplies? Who should we be supporting?

Hurah’s Venture Into Sustainable Cooperative Living

Well I thought in January when I began to work around the clock
in response to the earthquake that I was into something practical
and on target for reconstructing Haiti. Our project SIHRH (Sustainable
Investment and Human Rights In Haiti) was built along the lines
of re-developing land via the cooperative movement where the hundreds
of thousands of quake refugees could be resettled permanently on
land they would own, on land that would be cooperatively farmed
with sustainable, renewable, solar powered, environmentally sound
methods; where all children would receive an education; where women
would be equal in managing their lives; where the wealth of the
country would be utilized for things like eco-tourism but whose
profit would be turned back to the coop owners instead of being
siphoned off to international corporations. This all ended for me
on returning from Haiti in March. I don’t think the goal was wacky
or even the actual planning. I believe that we crumpled under the
weight of so much opposition to this model already entrenched so
soundly in traditions, in legal tie ups and the morass of political
game playing.

I have heard that there have been some similar projects by some
groups. I haven’t been able to track them down. My impression is
that the official, overall coordinating group is probably not fostering
cooperative methods. I’ve seen some construction companies offering
post-quake home models. But I have no sense that there is really
a coordinated effort to do things differently for a new Haiti.

So what is the story?

Since failing in our attempt, I’ve begun to notice some remarkable
stirrings.In spite of the dire predictions and depressing reports.
I am listing only a few of the good things that are happening.

1. ARISTIDE FOUNDATION: I mentioned this in the last bulletin,
the Aristide Foundation’s rise to dealing with the earthquake by
organizing shelters for some 10,000, clinics for the injured and
ill. And an immense, systematic organizing of women Check this out
again and for updates: .Aristide
Foundation; Especially their new urban gardening
project. I just donated to it at Haiti
Emergency Relief Fund or send a check to Haiti Emergency
Relief Fund-EBSC,at East Bay Sanctuary Covenant 2362 Bancroft Way,
Berkeley, CA 94704 Specify the program “Mange Lakay Selavi
(Eating from home is the way to live).

2. HAITI PARTNERS:
This is a recombining of some well known groups connected with Beyond
Borders. I have known the leader of the Haiti programs, John Engle,
from a distance for a number of years. This February I was aware
of his having come to work full time in recovery work. Haiti Partners
is combining the amazing community leadership organizing programs
(Open Space based group dynamics) with 1000 students, training 300
teachers. Haiti Partners is a religious based group.

3. BEVERLY
BELL: I have added to my list of critical
analysts of the Haitian scene, Beverly Bell, an Associate “Fellow”
at the Institute for Policy Studies and director of Other World
(click on her name). She has 30 years experience there and has been
working overtime since the earthquake. I like her directions, her
critical sense. I hope she and others can work with the UN team
of Bill Clinton and Dr. Paul Farmer, to be in touch with the real
world of Haiti, the majority of the poor.

4. IJDH: Of course,
there is always IJDH (Institute for Justice and
Democracy in Haiti), Atty. Brian Concannon Director, Atty. Mario
Joseph, Director International Lawyers Bureau, Port-Au-Prince.

5. HAITI
RECONSTRUCTION: a blog that promotes sustainable soil
reconstruction and other agricultural land reforms for the people.

6. SOLAR:
The Solar Electric Light Fund SELF. This link looks like what
I have in mind for reinventing the Haitian power production. I recently
read about a well organized and fine service program in Haiti receiving
250 generators at a value of $250,000. Now I fully understand how
much more handy–at first–a diesel burning generator is, how more
compact it is. I asked our friend from Namaste what it would cost
to build an equivalent solar system for 5500 watts. The cost, of
course, at this point is not small. But as he points out solar lasts
longer, is free after the installation, and, of course, is non polluting.
Let’s hope we can help Haiti avoid the mistake of depending on fossil
fuel instead of their sun power. Here is another solar link:INHABITAT

7. COMPOSTING TOILETS:S.O.I.L.
Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods Our friend,
Sasha Kramer has been too busy to keep up with the demand of the
ecological program she has founded. They are working even in Port-Au-Prince
with Oxfam.

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Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click
here.Or mail a check to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703 TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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Posted by: Piedrasyluz | June 15, 2010

OUR NEW REPORTER ON THE JOB

HURAH DONOR’S NEWS BULLETIN – 5.23.10

Dear Friends:


Thanks again for the $14,103 we contributed to our Haitian defenders of human rights through your generosity!

PROGRAM UPDATE: Trainee in Communication.

With your contributions our young trainee, Gentilhomme
Jean-Gilles, “GH” (28), obtained housing for six months, with
a bed and desk, (he was homeless due to the quake). We provided the professional equipment needed for his work, including a laptop and internet modem (scarce these days). We are waiting to get solar equipment our of customs so he can store electricity. With our funds he purchased a motor bike and protective
gear. “GH”‘s education had ceased with the earthquake when his school was destroyed and some teachers killed. This thwarted his aspirations to do human rights work and left his future bleak. While I provide him
a one-on-one, stop-gap on-line education –we meet three times a week and do French tutoring, internet information skills, and non-violent theory and practice for human rights work. At the same time we are able to keep apprised of what is going on with our human rights colleagues in Haiti.

OBSTACLES

Unfortunately, Gentilhomme’s work has been seriously delayed because of health issues: 1) flu-like infections for several weeks, 2) a tooth extraction, and 3) a motorbike accident that kept him off his
feet for a week and then on crutches. I am confident GH is a safe driver (I rode on the back of a bike with him during my last visit of 3 weeks). The safety equipment he had carefully purchased, saved him from worse damage.

ADDITIONAL BUDGET REQUEST – $2,050

Because of the desperate conditions in Haiti I have determined that a small educational stipend seems in order to cover the personal expenses that will allow GH to continue with his studies and to do keep abreast of the human rights situation which often involves travel. Funding is needed for the phone and internet to continue both education and work for HURAH.

Please review the budget; then read what we’venlearned from Gentihomme in the last month.

DONATE Online or Send Checks to
Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

Trainee in Communication – Human Rights Program – Total Budget:
$2,050(rent is paid through September).

Monthly breakdown:

1. Gas-Phone ($50 per week) $200

2. Internet $60 per month

3. Stipend ($25 per week), total $100

One time expense: $250 (2 chairs, bedding,
a room fan and repairs for his damaged bike).

TOTAL to support the program through September when the training ends: $2,050.

Towards the end I will evaluate the program to see if it will serve the goals of HURAH to partially fund a human rights worker.

DONATE Online; Send Checks to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St., Berkeley, Ca 94703

Thanks so much! Tom Luce

NOW OUR REPORT FROM THE GROUND!

Gentilhomme – HUMAN RIGHTS BEAT

Note:
Gentilhomme Jean-Gilles (GH), our HURAH rep. and trainee, had an
accident mid-April on the way to an assignment to check on forced
evictions of tent camp people and has been restricted in mobility
since because of his thigh injury and damage to the motorcycle.
Here is a series of quick updates on current issues in human rights.

TENT CAMP – MATTHEW 25

The well-known guest house for visiting groups from the Parish
Twinning Program of America (PTPA ),
now called Matthew 25 House, in the Delmas 33 neighborhood, still
has a tent camp on its soccer field that provides temporary shelter
to about 1,200 people. Originally 2,000 were camped there. Gentilhomme
visited there to get an idea of how this camp was functioning four months after the quake.

(Notice
Gentilhomme with the protective gear that saved him from greater
damage in the accident). The tents were donated by the Lions
Club International and a medical clinic was established there immediately
after the quake. We learned from GH’s visit that the governing committee
of local neighborhood residents has a positive working relationship
with Matthew 25 in running the camp. Unlike some tent encampments on private property that are being threatened with removal and the people forcibly and violently ejected with no alternative plans
(this has actually happened in some places), Matthew 25 is not demanding their soccer field back.

Note: GH was on his way to the office of Monica Dyer of International Action Ties to verify details of these evictions. Action Ties has been documenting these forced evictions including by two
religious schools, and police brutality. A moratorium on evictions was was obtained in mid-April but has not been totally adhered to. HURAH has signed a petition to end these evictions.

The greatest need of this community is for a school. Food has been supplied
by Rays of Hope and by Catholic Relief Services. Children receive
milk each day and special needs children are given special care.
The sick are also fed 2-3 cooked meals per day; the same is true for the staff. The Pure Water Foundation of the Rotary Club is providing
water .Medical care is now being referred out to a local hospital.
(Picture: GH in special tent infirmary). People wishing to help financially with this camp should send money to Theresa Patterson, Executive Director Parish Twinning Program 309 Windemere Woods Drive Nashville, TN 37215

Demonstrations Over Conditions of Tent Cities

In May much of the media has been reporting on demonstrations being
held throughout the country demanding rights for tent city dwellers and for the return of former President Aristide. In addition to
the problem of forced evictions which are barely mentioned in the media, these demonstrators are complaining about the unbearable
conditions they suffer from– scorching heat, lack of sanitation and toilets, disease, flooding, and no plans for the future. There is a lack of clear communication by the governments (national and international) about these real problems and what is being planned.

In this photo is a contingent of the May 12th demonstration photographed by GH. It was a highly organized and disciplined group which had a police escort. Participants wore tee shirts with the words, “People’s Federation for Pleading the Cause of People in Tent Camps- FPKMK (Creole). The local media report thousands in the streets around the country and that there is a growing coalition of disparate groups calling for the resignation of President Préval for his poor handling of the problems. The demand of these demonstrators is to give them representation in the planning, or get a change of leaders.

For a special insight into one important segment of the poor
majority, the Lavalas party first organized under Pres. Aristide,
and their organization work behind these demonstrations, see an
article by Laura Flynn, long time member of the Aristide Foundation
for Democracy- AFD in the Huffington Post, “We Want Our Voices
To Be Heard: Democracy in Haiti’s Earthquake Zone,” Aristide
Foundation You will find hard testimony of the democratic movement
supported by the Aristide Foundation. Much written in local and
international mainstream media whenever the name Aristide and a
call for his return is filled with references with the political
controversies that ended in his being “kidnapped” in Feb.
2004. With Laura Flynn’s article it is very clear what is being
done by the ordinary people and their leaders now to improve the
government. Not much credence in the media is given to this power beyond the
demonstrations in the streets. The call to bring Aristide back is
to allow him to participate in what they are already doing. However
this power is always been undermined by propagandists who do not
want it to be exercised. In the last year through bureaucratic manipulations,
the Lavalas party candidates for parliament have been disqualified.

The Labor Movement In Haiti: AUMOHD

Photo:
GH at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Port-Au-Prince covering a significant
meeting of a coalition of trade unions in Haiti. May 17, 2010. Rear
left, tall man is Paul Loulou Chery head of the Confederation of
Haitian Workers. He was severely persecuted in 2004, and after,
for his union work. Hurah engaged with him concerning the public
teachers’ union.

May 17th was the date that the “Code for Workers” in
Haiti was announced. AUMOHD played a large role in getting this
code published, especially in Creole.

Several years ago AUMOHD began working with the Solidarity Center
of the AFL-CIO. The area rep, Cathy Feingold worked out of the Dominican
Republic and sought AUMOHD’s help for its program. Hurah initially
brought these two organizations together; since then the partnership
has grown. Now, especially because of the quake, AUMOHD has become
the “safe Zone” for union organizers. The Solidarity Center
has financed a legal assistance program for labor union members
through AUMOHD. They have just also installed a solar energy system
at the AUMOHD office that provides for all the energy needs.

Photo: A large crowd was at the May 17 meeting. Woman in center-back
is Cathy Feingold.

Note: In April more than 120 trade unionists from all of the
world, including many leaders from the Haitian labor movement, attended
a summit to explore the role of trade unions in the reconstruction
of Haiti. This week, after an assassination attempt on Atty. Evel
Fanfan, president of AUMOHD, a meeting has been organized in Santo
Domingo, where the Solidarity Center is located, to develop a solid
security plan for the AUMOHD office that has become so important
to the labor movement

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Human
Rights Accompaniment In Haiti-Hurah, Inc.

a 501(c)(3), non-profit

1515 Fairview St., Berkeley Ca. 94703 President, Tom Luce, president@hurah.org
Blog Site Hurah

To DONATE click here.Or mail a check
to Tom Luce, 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca 94703

TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send an e-mail to president@hurah.org

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